Surface cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A surface cleaning apparatus having a body ( 12 ), a primary air inlet ( 70 ), a first wheel ( 14 ), preferably the first wheel being positioned at or near a first end of the body, and a second wheel ( 16 ), preferably the second wheel being positioned at or near a second end of the body, a source of suction, and a chamber ( 100 ) for receiving dirt, which chamber is in fluid communication with the primary air inlet ( 70 ). The primary air inlet ( 70 ) is moveable relative to the body ( 12 ).

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Phase of International ApplicationPCT/GB2014/050313, filed Feb. 4, 2014, which claims priority to U.K.Patent Application No. 1319372.7, filed Nov. 1, 2013 and to U.K. PatentApplication No. 1401002.9, filed Jan. 21, 2014, the entire contents allof which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus. In particular,this invention relates to a surface cleaning apparatus which utilises asource of suction to draw dirt etc. from a surface being cleaned and tostore said dirt in a chamber which can be emptied by a user. Suchsurface cleaning apparatus are often referred to a “vacuum cleaners”.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the invention we provide a surfacecleaning apparatus having:

a body;

a primary air inlet;

a first wheel, preferably the first wheel being positioned at or near afirst end of the body; and

a second wheel, preferably the second wheel being positioned at or neara second end of the body,

a source of suction; and

a chamber for receiving dirt, which chamber is in fluid communicationwith the primary air inlet;

wherein the primary air inlet is moveable relative to the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the various aspects of the invention will now bedescribed by way of example only, with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatusaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a yet further perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with aprimary air inlet shown in a first position;

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with aprimary air inlet shown in a second, central, position; and

FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with aprimary air inlet shown in a third position;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the figures, these show a first embodiment of a surfacecleaning apparatus 10. In short, the apparatus 10 includes a body 12, afirst wheel 14 positioned at a first end of the body 12 and a secondwheel 16 positioned at an opposite, second, end of the body 12. Thewheels are rotatable about a respective wheel axis. The body 12 isgenerally cylindrical and has a generally elongate axis A which extendslengthwise of the body 12 between the wheels 14, 16.

The body 12 is shaped such that an exterior surface thereof is generallyconcave, with the exterior surface extending circumferentially aroundthe axis A. In more detail, in this particular embodiment the body 12has a central region C with respective side portions R, L which sitbetween the central region C and each of the wheels 14, 16. It can beseen from the figures that a radius Y of each of the portions R, Lincreases as the exterior surface of that portion extends from thecentral region C towards each wheel 14, 16. In other words, the portionsR, L flare outwardly as they extend towards the wheels 14, 16.

It will be appreciated that the shape of the body 12 ensures that thereis a generally concave portion provided on a floor facing portion of theexterior surface of the body 12, which provides a space S when theapparatus is positioned on a floor surface F with both wheels 14, 16contacting the floor surface F.

Whilst in the present example the body 12 is generally symmetrical abouta plane which extends transversely through the central portion C, theaxis A, the cable rewind device 170 and the primary air inlet 70, itshould be appreciated that other shapes of the body 12 could be utilisedwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. It need notbe the case that the exterior surface of the body 12 is generallysymmetrical about the axis A. For example, the body 12 could be shapedsuch that a space S is provided between the body and the floor surface Fwhilst an upwardly facing surface of the body 12 is not provided withany concave portion or the like (it could be convex, for example). Inthis particular example it is beneficial for the radius of the groundengaging surfaces of the first and second wheels 14, 16 to be greaterthan the largest width of the body when measured transversely of theaxis A. This ensures that the body does not foul the floor surface Fwhen the apparatus is in use.

The body 12 houses a suction motor 140, suction fan 150, a cyclonicseparator device 110 and a chamber 100 for receiving and storing dirt.The position and shape of these component parts and their interactionwill be discussed in more detail later. The body 12 is made out of aplastics material such as poly carbonate or acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS). The material is opaque but it could also be made of atranslucent or transparent material to permit a visual indication forthe user of the level of dirt within the chamber 100. The wheels aremade of a rubber material. Embodiments are envisaged where a further,second, or even third cyclonic separator device is provided. Inaddition, a multi-cyclonic device may be provided in the apparatus.

Each wheel is provided as an annular member which is supported forrotation by a generally circular exterior surface of a part 15, 17 ofthe body. In other words, the parts 15, 17 of the body provide a racewhich supports the annular wheel member 14, 16 and permits it to rotatesmoothly about its axis. Alternative configurations of the wheel couldbe utilised without departing from the scope of the present invention.For example, one or both wheels 14, 16 could be mounted for rotation ona common axle or respective axles which is/are connected to the body.

Whilst in the present embodiment the wheels 14, 16 are rotatable aboutaxes which are coaxial with each other and coaxial with the axis A ofthe body 12, this need not be the case. For example, embodiments areenvisaged where the rotational axes of the wheels are offset from theaxis A. Embodiments are also envisaged where the rotational axes of thefirst and second wheels are neither coaxial with each other nor parallelwith each other. For example, the rotational axes of the wheels 14, 16maybe inclined relative to the axis A of the body.

Furthermore, whilst in the present embodiment the wheels 14, 16 arepositioned at opposite ends of the body 12, embodiments of the inventionare envisaged where the wheels are positioned closer towards each other.In such embodiments, it is also envisaged that a respective portion ofthe body may extend laterally past each wheel, such that each wheel ispositioned inwardly from the opposite ends of the body.

It can be seen from the figures that the apparatus 10 includes a handle18 which is connected to the body 12 at the end of the body 12 whichsupports the wheel 16. The user graspable handle 18 is connected to thebody 12 through the opening provided by the configuration of the annularwheel member 16. This permits a user to move the apparatus 10 to adesired location. For example, the handle 18 permits the user to standthe apparatus 10 on the end of the apparatus 10 which supports the wheel14 such that the axis A of the body is substantially vertical. Forexample, this configuration may be utilised when a user is using theapparatus for cleaning a flight of stairs, or when storing theapparatus.

As can be seen from the figures the handle 18 extends diametricallyacross the end of the body 12 through the axis A of the body and thehandle is smaller than a diameter of the exterior surface of the wheel16. This ensures that the handle 18 does not foul the floor surface Fwhen the apparatus is being moved along the floor surface F.

In the present example the handle 18 is moveable between stored (shownin FIG. 3) and operable positions. In the operable position the handle18 is moved outwardly away from the wheel 16 under the biasing ofsprings 18 a.

As shown in FIG. 1 the apparatus 10 includes a tool 22 for engaging afloor surface and a conduit/hose 20 connecting the floor tool 22 to thebody 12. These components are well known in the art of such cleaners andthus will not be described in further detail.

The conduit 20 includes a flexible section which is releasablyconnectable to a primary air inlet 70 of the apparatus. The primary airinlet 70 is positioned substantially midway between the first and secondwheels 14, 16 (and thus between the first and second ends of the body)and in normal use extends vertically downwardly through an exteriorsurface of a body and into an interior of the body 12. In thisembodiment the primary air inlet 70 includes a formation having anelectrical connection for providing power to the floor tool 22, althoughthat is not essential.

In this embodiment, the primary air inlet 70 is moveable relative to thebody 12. In particular, the primary air inlet 70 is angularly moveableby virtue of being pivotally connected to the body 12. It should beappreciated, however, that embodiments are envisaged where the primaryair inlet is laterally moveable either in isolation or in addition tobeing angularly and/or pivotally moveable. In this embodiment, a lowerportion of the primary air inlet 70 is received in a recess 12 a in thebody 12, and is pivotally connected to the body with a connectionposition within the recess 12 a.

The primary air inlet 70 is configured for movement in a plane whichintersects the elongate axis A of the body 12 (and thus the axis ofrotation of the wheels 14, 16). In alternative embodiments the primaryair inlet 70 may be configured for movement in a plane which lies closeto the elongate axis A of the body 12. In alternative embodiments theprimary air inlet 70 may be configured for movement in a plane whichintersects or lies close to an axis of one or both wheels (e.g. wheresuch axis is not coaxial with the axis of the body).

The primary air inlet 70 is fluidly connected to the inlet 72 of thecyclonic separator 110 by way of a flexible conduit 73, which issubstantially hidden from view. The conduit 73 is positioned within thebody 12 of the apparatus. The flexible conduit 73 in this example is ofthe corrugated type (although a simplified illustration is shown in thedrawings), but other flexible conduits are envisaged. The conduit 73extends away from the primary air inlet 70 in a direction towards thewheel 14. The flexible characteristics of the conduit 73 means thatmovement of the primary air inlet 70 is not restricted and that afluid-tight conduit is provided between the inlet 70 and the cyclonicseparator 110 during use, irrespective of the position of the inlet 70.

The primary air inlet 70 is moveable between a first position (see FIG.5) in which an axis P of the inlet 70 is angled towards the first wheel14, and a second position (see FIG. 7) in which the axis P of the inlet70 is angled towards the second wheel 16. In FIG. 6 a third position ofthe inlet 70 is shown which lies midway between the first and secondpositions. In this third position, the axis P of the inlet 70 issubstantially perpendicular to the axis A of the body 12 and wheels 14,16.

Embodiments are envisaged wherein the primary air inlet is biased to thethird position, e.g. by way of a spring or the like. Whilst in thepresent embodiment the primary air inlet 70 is moveable in a singleplane, embodiments are envisaged where the inlet 70 is more freelymoveable. For example, the inlet 70 may be moveable transverselyrelative to the axis of the body. For example, the inlet 70 may bemoveable in a manner similar to that of a universal joint, e.g. 360° ofmovement, though the utilisation of a universal joint, ball joint or thelike.

The cyclonic separator device 110 in the present example is a“throw-off” separator, the operation of which is well known in the art.The separator device 110 has a tangential inlet 72 into a generallycylindrical chamber 112, which has an axis coaxial with axis A. A dirtoutlet 113 is positioned peripherally at one end of the chamber 112 (theend closest the wheel 14), and the device 110 also includes an airoutlet 114, which is also generally cylindrical with apertures 115through which air passes in a direction of arrow 116 (coaxial with axisA) to a post separator filter device.

The chamber 112 sits within the chamber 100 for receiving dirt and thedirt outlet 113 is in fluid communication with the chamber 100 so thatdirt can pass therethrough and into the chamber 100.

Positioned within the body 12 is a suction motor 140 which has a rotor141 driveably connected to a suction fan 150. These component parts arepositioned along the axis A of the body 12 and, when powered, provide asuitable source of suction in order to draw air through the primary airinlet 70, first cyclonic separation device 110 and filter 90. Positionedaround the suction motor 140 (near the wheel 16) is a post-motor filter160. Air passes through this further filter 160 and apertures that endof the body 12 to atmosphere.

The apparatus 10 also includes a cable storage device 170 for storingelectrical cable 68 for providing power to the suction motor 140. In thepresent example the cable storage device 170 is positioned in betweenthe filter 90 and the suction motor 140 and includes an annularly shapedmoveable part 171 which is rotatable about the axis A. In the presentexample the cable storage device 170 includes means for biasing thecable 68 to be pulled into an interior of the body 12 such that thecable is coiled around the annular part 171. A free end of the cable 68is connected to a plug 69 which, when the cable 68 is fully stored, isat least partially received in a recess 67 in the body 12.

Whilst in the present example the cable storage device 170 is rotatableabout an axis which is coaxial with the elongate axis A of the body, itneed not be so. It could be parallel with an axis which is offset fromthe rotational axis A. In addition, whist the rotational axis of thecable storage device 170 is coaxial with the rotational axis of thewheels 14, 16, it could be parallel to those axes or indeed inclinedrelative thereto.

Also, whilst the cable storage device 170 includes means for biasing thecable 68 to be drawn into the interior of the body 12, embodiments areenvisaged which include a manually operable means for winding the cable68 into the body 12. For example there could be a handle accessibleoutside of the body 12 which a user moves so as to rotate the annularmember 171 so as to wind the cable into the interior of the body 12.

Advantageously, the apparatus 10 includes a plurality of deflectormembers 41, 42 connected to the body 12. The purpose of the deflectormembers 41, 42 is to provide protection to the body 12 and also toassist a user in manoeuvring the apparatus whilst cleaning. Thedeflector members 41, 42 advantageously assist the user in manoeuvringthe apparatus past fixed objects e.g. door frames, chairs, tables.

User operable controls 50-53 are provided in recesses within thedeflector members 42. The positioning of the user operable controls51-53 in this location ensures that they are somewhat protected from anydamage as a result of collisions between the apparatus and fixedobjects.

In the present example the user operable control 51 is pivotallymoveable to control the opening of a lid 19 to the bin 100. The useroperable control 53 is the power button for providing electricalconnection between a mains supply and the suction motor 140. The useroperable control 52 controls the automatic rewind function of the cablerewind device 170. It should be appreciated that other user operablecontrols could be provided within the spaces or recesses in thedeflective members 42. Whilst no user operable controls are provided inthe corresponding spaces in the deflector members 41 they could beprovided if desired as an alternative or addition to the members 51-53.

Embodiments of apparatus are envisaged which do not include a cyclonicseparator, but instead utilise a receptacle, bag or the like forcollecting dirt which is supported within the chamber 100. In addition,embodiments are envisaged which do not include a cable storage device,although it is desirable for the apparatus to be provided with such adevice in order to ensure compact storage of the electrical cable 68.

Whilst in the above examples a “dry” apparatus is taught, it should beappreciated that the apparatus could be modified to be a “wet” system,i.e. utilising a source of cleaning fluid within the apparatus which isapplied to the floor surface before being sucked back in to a chamberwithin the body.

In each of the embodiments the chamber is capable of receiving dirt,which definition encompasses either directly receiving dirt or therebeing a bag or the like supported within the chamber which itselfcollects dirt.

The axis of the body is a generally elongate axis thereof which in thisexample extends lengthwise of the apparatus between the first and secondwheels.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms “comprises” and“comprising” and variations thereof mean that the specified features,steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted toexclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the followingclaims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific formsor in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or amethod or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate,may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised forrealising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

1. A surface cleaning apparatus having: a body; a primary air inlet; afirst wheel, preferably the first wheel being positioned at or near afirst end of the body; and a second wheel, preferably the second wheelbeing positioned at or near a second end of the body, a source ofsuction; and a chamber for receiving dirt, which chamber is in fluidcommunication with the primary air inlet; wherein the primary air inletis pivotally moveable relative to the body and at least a portion of theprimary air inlet is received in a recess in the body.
 2. (canceled) 3.An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the primary air inlet islaterally moveable relative to the body.
 4. (canceled)
 5. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the primary air inlet is moveable between afirst position in which an axis of the inlet is angled towards the firstwheel, and a second position in which an axis of the inlet is angledtowards the second wheel.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 whereinwhen the primary air inlet is in a third position, between the first andsecond positions, an axis of the inlet is substantially perpendicular toan axis of the body.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein whenthe primary air inlet is in a third position, between the first andsecond positions, an axis of the inlet is substantially perpendicular toan axis of one or both wheels.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 1wherein the primary air inlet is biased to a third position which issubstantially midway between its first and second positions.
 9. Anapparatus according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the fluidcommunication between the primary air inlet and the chamber forreceiving dirt is provided by way of a flexible conduit.
 10. Anapparatus according to claim 9 wherein the flexible conduit is of thecorrugated type.
 11. An apparatus according to claim 9 wherein theconduit extends in a direction towards one of the wheels.
 12. Anapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the primary air inlet isconnected to or is connectable to a floor tool via a conduit/hose/wandor the like.
 13. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the primaryair inlet includes a formation for the releasable connection of aconduit/hose/wand or the like for connection to a floor tool.
 14. Anapparatus according to claim 13 wherein the formation includes anelectrical connection for providing power to a floor tool.
 15. Anapparatus according to claim 1 wherein the body has an elongate axis.16. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the primary air inlet ismoveable in a plane which intersects the elongate axis of the body. 17.An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the primary air inlet ismoveable in a plane which lies close to the elongate axis of the body.18. An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the primary air inlet ismoveable in a plane which intersects an axis of one or both wheels. 19.An apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the primary air inlet ismoveable in a plane which lies close to an axis of one or both wheels.20. (canceled)
 21. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the bodyhas first and second end, which are substantially opposite each other,and wherein the primary air inlet is positioned substantially midwaybetween the first and second ends.
 22. (canceled)
 23. An apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the primary air inlet extends through agenerally upwardly facing exterior surface of the body.
 24. (canceled)25. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the body is generallycylindrical and wherein a portion of the body positioned in between acentral region of the body and each end and/or wheel of the body has aradius which increases as it extends towards each end and/or wheel.26.-42. (canceled)